RESEARCH by HSBC Bank shows that 67 per cent of the North-west people it quizzed think that now is a good time to buy shares. The bank has introduced improved telephone and Internet sharedealing services. Share ownership is said to be appealing to all generations as Britons become investment-savvy at a much younger age than before.

According to the report, 28 per cent of 25-34 year-olds own shares and a further 14 per cent have owned them in the past.

Richard Dixon, head of stockbrokers at HSBC Bank, said: "People have more choice and information than ever before. Today, people can check share prices on their mobiles, execute trades online and instruct their brokers all from the comfort of their own home."